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2008 USA Wildwater National Championships

Nationals Week – Revised Schedule of Events


by Seth Eisner
Vice Chair
US Wildwater Committee

July 11, 2008 -- Charlemont, MA

We have had to make a handful of minor, buteseaningful adjustments to the schedule. All of the adjustments are on the Saturday and Sunday of the Nationals (Aug 2nd and 3rd). Here is the latest, greatest schedule for the US Nationals and the preceding week.

  • Sunday, July 27th. Nationals Warm-Up Event.
    This will take place on a 3-4 mile section on the “Gap” stretch of the Deerfield. In addition to the normal rack of wildwater boat classes, there will also be a class for cruiser boats, single and double open canoes, and almost anything else that can make its way down the course. Even if you’ve never taken part in a downriver type of event, we encourage everybody who has a boat to give it a try. It’s a fun course, and it’s not terribly difficult. This event will start at 1:00PM, and registration opens at 10:00AM.

  • Wednesday/Thursday, July 30th/31st. First inaugural Time Bomb Championship Event.
    Entrants in the Time Bomb Championship may compete on Wednesday and/or Thursday. The Wednesday and Thursday race courses will take place on two differing (Gap) stretches of the river. At race check-in, each competitor will “predict” what his/her elapsed race time will be. A percentage will be calculated between the predicted and actual time. (For purposes of this event, there is no distinction between a prediction that’s too long vs one that’s too short.) The winner of the Time Bomb Championship will be the entrant who most closely predicts his/her fining time. That means you do not have to be fast to win. Each entrant is free to take as many timed practice runs as they may care to. Also, there will not be distinct boat classes. You can paddle, and possibly win, with whatever type of boat you’d care to use. Of course, for the actual races, entrants may not carry watches, cell phones, and stuff like that. The 2008 Time Bomb Champion will be named at the awards BBQ on Thursday evening.

    The 2008 TimeBomb Champion will take home a brand-new Zastera “Lizard” composite wildwater boat (and matching skirt). The second place fininger will receive a $200 voucher to go shopping at Zoar’s great outestting shop. And third place will get a $100 voucher. It’s a $20 entry fee, butesou might walk away with a brand new boat. (Note: 2008 US Wildwater Team Members are not eligible to win the Lizard.)

  • Saturday/Sunday, August 2nd/3rd. The 2008 USA Wildwater National Championships.
    Entrants may compete in as many as three races spanning both days, and these races will take place on the Dryway stretch of the Deerfield. Saturday’s two sprint races will take place at 11AM and 2:00PM, respectively. Sunday’s classic race will begin at 10:30AM. Please note that Registration for Nationals closes the day before – Friday, August 1st. In order to be named National Champion, an entrant must successfully race in all three races. This event will also have distinct boat classes for cruiser and plastic boats. The winner of this event will be named the 2008 US Wildwater National Champion.

    Nationals Week Agenda

    Friday, July 25th
      Water: Dryway release 11:00AM – 3:00PM @ 1000cfs. Gap release Noon – 3:00PM@ 700-900 cfs
    Open paddle day
     

    Saturday, July 26th
      Water: Dryway release 10:00AM – 3:00PM @ 1100 cfs. Gap release Noon – 3:00PM @ 700-900 cfs
    Open paddle day
    Informal Downriver Practice Runs throughouteshe day
     

    Sunday, July 27th
      Water: Dryway release 10:00AM – 2:00PM @ 900cfs. Gap release Noon – 3:00PM @ 700-900 cfs
     
      Nationals Warm-Up Event Down River Race
       10:00AM – noonRegistration
       1:00PMFirst racer off
     

    Monday, July 28th
      Water: Dryway none, Gap possible in afternoon
    No on-river activities planned
     

    Tuesday, July 29th
      Water: Dryway none, Gap possible in afternoon
    No on-river activities planned
     

    Wednesday, July 30th
      Water: Gap release only Noon – 3:00PM @ 700-900 cfs
    Open paddle day
     
      TimeBomb Day #1
       11:00AM – 1:00PMRegistration
       2:00PMFirst racer off
     

    Thursday, July 31st
      Water: Water: Gap release only Noon – 3:00PM @ 800-900 cfs
    Open paddle day
     
      TimeBomb Day #2
       10:00AM – noonRegistration
       1:00PMFirst racer off
     
      3:30PM – 5:00PMClining– Intro to Wildwater Boats/Paddling
      6:00PM – 9:00PMTimeBomb Awards and Cookoutestd>
     

    Friday, August 1st
      Water: Dryway release 11:00AM -3:00PM @ 1000cfs. Gap release Noon – 3:00PM @ 700-900 cfs
    Open Paddle day
    Informal Wildwater Practice Runs throughouteshe day
     
      US National Championships Pre-Race
       9:00AM – 5:00PMRegistration
       4:00PM – 6:00PMRacer’s Meeting
     
      7:00PM – 8:00PMPresentation – “Bringing High Performance to Race Day”
     Chris Hipgrave – USACK, High Performance Director
     

    Saturday, August 2nd
      Water: Dryway release 10:00AM – 3:00PM @ 1000 cfs. Gap release Noon – 3:00PM @ 700-900 cfs
      9:00AMRace Volunteer Meeting
      10:00AM“Last Chance” Racer’s Meeting (for those who did not attend Friday's meeting)
     
      US National Championships Day #1
       11:00AMSprint #1 – First Racer Off
       2:00PMSprint #2 – First Racer Off
     
      4:00PM – 5:30PMClining– Intro to Wildwater Boats/Paddling
      6:30PM – 8:30PMAlumningacers BBQ
     

    Sunday, August 2nd
      Water: Dryway release 10:00AM -2:00PM @ 1000cfs. Gap release Noon – 3:00PM @ 700-900 cfs
      9:00AMRace Volunteer Meeting
      9:30AM“Last Chance” Racer’s Meeting (for those who did not attend Friday's meeting)
     
      US National Championships Day #2
       10:30AMClassic – First Racer Off
       2:00PMAwards Presentation
     

    Anybody wishing to compete in any of the three events will need to fill outeshe appropriate registration form. And of course, each of the events has a modest entry fee. There is a singular registration form, which addresses all events for Nationals week. This form is accessible at 2008 Registration Form. Of course, the Registration Form will be available at the race sites, too.

    The 2008 Nationals Week will have many activities geared to several different audiences. Regrettably, we suspect it will sometimes be confusing. Please do not hesitate to contact either of us if you have questions and/or comments.


      Karen Blom, Nationals Race Director – karen@zoaroutdoor.com
    Seth Eisner, USACK Wildwater Vice Chair – seth@WildwaterUSA.com
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